What You Should Know About WASP Stings

Posted July 31, 2015

As well as feeding on nectar and pollen, wasps are predators. They will hunt insects, flies and even caterpillars to feed their young and, unlike bees, their bodies are built for hunting, being far sleeker and streamlined than their more popular counterparts.

It is actually only the female wasps that will sting you. Their stinger also doubles as an ovipositor to lay eggs. The venom that the female uses is to incapacitate animals so that they can lay eggs in their body.

What Can WASP Venom Do?

Wasp venom contains enzymes and peptides that destroy the skin’s mast cells which forms a part of our body’s immune system. This produces a chemical called histamine which helps the blood vessels to dilate and allows your immune cells to neutralize the venom. Most of us will experience a nasty stinging, burning sensation that will numb over a period of time but if you are unfortunate enough to be allergic to bee or wasp stings, the consequences can be far more severe. In these cases, the dilation of the blood vessels is extreme and the blood pressure becomes unregulated. This causes the blood pressure to drop swiftly and the cells stop receiving oxygen. This is known as anaphylactic shock which in a worse case scenario, can cause death.

Dealing With WASP Infestations

Just like bees, wasps will only sting when they believe that their community is being threatened. If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. Of course, that’s easier said than done and nobody wants the threat of a wasp infestation in their home or at their business property.

At Europest we have dealt with numerous cases of wasp infestations so if you need any help, please do not hesitate to contact us.